Tips On Finding The Best Orlando Attractions By Price & Value 2023

Given the popularity of Orlando as a top travel destination, it’s important that you book your reservations and make your travel plans ahead of time so you can make the most of your vacation time in “the theme park capital of the world.” This will ensure that you have access to the best places to stay in the area, your restaurants and attractions of choice, while obtaining the best possible prices for your vacation.

It’s worth noting that planning your Orlando vacation during off-peak season can save you a big chunk of your vacation budget. It also helps keep wait time down at the most popular attractions and restaurants. If possible, you’ll want to avoid peak season vacation times such as mid-summer school break, spring break week, and Christmas vacation. The off-peak season starts in early January and ends early February, and in the month of October. If you’re unable to travel off-season, you can still save more and get your resorts of choice by booking your vacation ahead of time.

Having your vacation include top Orlando, Florida attractions, although pricey, does not have to create a huge dent in your budget. You can avoid expensive mistakes by carefully planning and organizing your travel itinerary to help control your expenses and avoid certain unnecessary costs. Ensure that you devote plenty of time to research and planning before you go. Besides, the planning is half the fun!

The best way to optimize your vacation time and your vacation budget is to research, and have the right knowledge and information before your visit to Orlando. Having the right information will not only save you money while on vacation, but will ensure you enjoy the stay that best suits you and your friends or family. The more you know about the area and the attractions in Orlando, the more fun, rewarding, and worthwhile your visit will be.

There are many ways you can book your much-awaited vacation to Orlando. You can shop from the many affordable vacation packages available, either online, or through a travel agent, and find the one that best matches your budget and personal preferences. The choices are endless! Or you may opt to design your own vacation, pricing your hotel or resort and each attraction individually. Regardless of how you book your stay, the first and most crucial thing to do is to always do your research. Research each and every attraction in Orlando that you wish to visit. And don’t limit yourself to the immediate Orlando area. There are plenty of nearby excursions and attractions that will help stretch your budget while providing you with a unique Florida experience.

Some of the most popular Orlando attractions and theme parks that you may want to check out and enjoy are as follows:

1. Walt Disney Magic Kingdom
2. Disney's Hollywood Studios
3. Daytona 500 Experience
4. Ripley's Believe It or Not
5. SeaWorld Aquatica
6. SeaWorld Orlando
7. Universal Studios Orlando & Islands of Adventure & Wet n' Wild Water Park
8. WonderWorks
9. Animal Kingdom
10. Blizzard Beach
11. Kennedy Space Center
12. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
13. EPCOT
14. Gatorland & Gator Gully Splash Park
15. Silver Springs Nature Park
16. Typhoon Lagoon
17. Old Town
18. Discovery Cove
19. Holy Land Experience
20. Haunted Grimm House
21. Fun Spot Action Park

There are lots of vacation package deals you can purchase that combine your theme park access and hotel accommodation in one convenient and affordable package. You can shop around on the internet and with Visitors Bureaus for discounts and specials. You’ll also want to check with any organization you belong to such as AARP or AAA for specially negotiated rates and perks. And be sure to check with your credit card company and your employer’s entertainment packages. The web is the best tool to use to find information regarding packages and special benefits to enhance your stay and help you save on your travel budget. Some travelers find better hotel prices by staying in the city of Kissimmee, which is adjacent to Orlando, Florida. And don’t forget to check AirBnB for house or room rentals in the area. You’ll surely find some great options as more and more tourists coming to Orlando each year are taking advantage of these accommodations. Again, remember it’s important to avoid the busiest times of the year which are Spring Break and Christmas and New Year.

Even though Walt Disney World is one of the best and most popular attractions in Orlando, there are many other great attractions that are well worth visiting near Orlando. Some of the top theme parks are SeaWorld Adventure Park, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Epcot, Universal Studios, and Universal's Islands of Adventure. The Kennedy Space Center, a short drive to the west coast is also worth paying a visit. You’ll see space capsules, real rockets, and high tech equipment used for space exploration. The Kennedy Space Center is the premier tourist attraction for space enthusiasts and those who like to study and research about space flight.

If you love parks and greeneries, you’ll want to visit the Blue Spring State Park, Fantasy of Flight, Gatorland, Dinosaur World, and the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. There are also lots of lakes and bodies of water you can visit such as Sand Lake, Conway, Lake Apopka, Eustis, Griffin, Harney, Harris, Jesup, Monroe, and Tohopekaliga. Plenty of the lakes around Orlando are famous for their bass fishing. There are also some lakes which offer wakeboarding and other water sports. Take a break from the bustle of the theme parks and go green! The waters are generally safe from alligators, however, cleaning fish along the banks is not recommended. Additionally, night swimming is also not recommended.

Take a ride over to Port Canaveral, where you’ll find various cruise lines with four- to seven-day cruises like the Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, and the Norwegian Cruise Line to the Caribbean islands. Take a cruise and enjoy the open ocean in the luxury of a floating 5-star hotel. These cruises will take you to the Caribbean where you’ll visit various islands, and enjoy the shopping and beach activities. The cruise ships also host whole day activities for the passengers and a variety of excursions.

The key here is to plan ahead so you can give yourself ample time to enjoy and savor your visit to Orlando, Florida. Theme parks such as Walt Disney World, can easily eat up 2 to 3 days of your vacation time. So, make sure you schedule your travel itinerary accordingly. The top and leading tourist places to see are of course, Universal Studios, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, and Walt Disney World. Consider picking one or two favorites and then adding a visit to beaches of the west coast of Florida or maybe a short cruise to your stay. Why not take a 4-day cruise to cap off your awesome Orlando vacation!

In addition to the many, many paid tourist attractions in Orlando, Florida there are lots of exciting and unique things you can do for absolutely FREE. Here are a few:

When your vacation times coincide with a rocket launch, then you’re lucky! You can get to see an actual rocket launch at Cape Canaveral. It is by far one of the coolest things you can do for free – watch a rocket launch to outer space.

Get to experience Disney without spending a fortune by walking around, sightseeing, and experiencing the magic of the mouse for free. People watch, have a bite to eat and soak up the spirit of Disney. If you’re lucky, you can often catch a free event, entertainment, or festival at Disney Springs and Disney’s Boardwalk at no cost to you.

Harry P. Leu Gardens provide absolutely free access to the garden every Monday. You can simply stop and smell the flowers -- literally at their various beautiful gardens without spending a dime! Embark on a journey of mesmerizing sights and scents as you amble through the enchanting and romantic gardens.

Grab a couple free drinks with a free brewery tour at the Orlando Brewing Company. The free tours are offered on a first come, first serve basis, so you’d better get there early to get a spot. You’ll get to sample some of their twenty-four organic craft beers directly from the tap. You can buy flights to the brewery’s taproom at a cost of $8.00 for a single flight, and $14.00 for a double flight. Drink up and enjoy at the Orlando Brewing Company today!

Do you love the outdoors? Then you should definitely check the Ocala National Forest. The Ocala National Forest boasts nearly three hundred thousand acres of greeneries that you can explore. This state park is ideal for those who want some fresh outdoor air and a break from the hustle and bustle without breaking the bank. It’s absolutely free to hike and ride a boat at the Ocala National Forest.

If you love wine, then you’ll want to head over to Orlando’s Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. They offer a complimentary tour and wine tasting at its vineyard 7 days a week. The tour lasts for about 30 minutes. You can also explore the wine production process from growing the grapes to bottling and manufacturing the wine as a final product.

Guess what? In order to see theme park fireworks in Orlando, Florida, you don’t have to purchase theme park tickets. These are some of the spots where you can view them for free: you can enjoy them at Disney’s Boardwalk, at the Contemporary Resort facing Magic Kingdom, from the right side part of the marina at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and at the beach at the Disney Polynesian Resort.

Disney designed a neighborhood near the theme park called Celebration. This is a quaint little town offering a variety of shopping and dining options. You can walk around and see various styles of architectural works that emulate Disney’s magic in this quaint and small community. You’ll find eateries, boutiques, and often you might catch a free event when visiting the town of Celebration.

Check out the Mall at Millenia and experience true luxury without having to spend a dime by window shopping at Orlando’s finest mall. The mall prides itself on its top luxury brands from Louis Vuitton to Prada and Armani. You can check out the merchandise, maybe even try it on without it costing you a single cent!

Tired of the city’s hustle and bustle? Unwind by visiting the Lake Eola Park. It is one gem you shouldn’t miss while visiting downtown Orlando. Take a romantic stroll under the subdued city lights, enjoy the sights, and savor the moment. There’s a nine-mile sidewalk that overlooks the lake, making for a perfect place for romantic walks, that special proposal or any special occasion with a loved one, or maybe just a quiet moment of reflection. This is just another of the many free things to do while in Orlando. Keep an ear out for a free concert at the park or simply have quiet time with your loved one.

With so many things you can do in Orlando, Florida, you don’t have to worry about being bored or not enjoying your vacation. Make the most of it and create a worthwhile experience for you and your family. Stop, relax, and take a breather. Don’t overwhelm yourself with unrealistic schedules. Just plan ahead and take that much-needed vacation whenever you can!

Use good planning to make sure you optimize and maximize your budget for this trip. Pace your vacation and make sure you spend some time relishing your trip, indulge in fun-filled and memorable activities, and enjoy every second of it. You may have heard it said that the only thing you truly need to travel is two things – a sense of humor, and money of course! Enjoy your Orlando Florida vacation!